Ilgenfritz Scholarships

Elizabeth Ilgenfritz was a longtime member of the MWPA. An avid reader and dedicated writer, Ilgenfritz was the author of Anne Hutchinson (American Women of Achievement series) published by Putnam and was working on a young adult novel entitled “Bark” at the moment of her untimely death in late 2016.

To honor Ilgenfritz’s passions and writing life, two annual scholarships were established in her name in 2017. One scholarship is for female high school students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year in Waldo or Knox counties to attend the Longfellow Young Writers’ Workshopat the University of Maine at Farmington each July. The second is for female writers 18+ in Waldo or Knox counties to attend the Slice Literary Writers’ Conference in Brooklyn, New York each September.

Ilgenfritz Scholarship to Longfellow Young Writers’ Workshop

This scholarship supports one female high school student who entering her sophomore, junior, or senior year who lives in Waldo or Knox counties to attend the Longfellow Young Writers’ Workshop at the University of Maine at Farmington each July.

+ Workshop fee for entire week
+ All lodging and meals
+ A $100 cash honorarium
+ Winners are responsible for their own travel arrangements

Scholarships are awarded based on a mix of a writing sample, demonstrated dedication to writing, and financial need. There is no application fee. The scholarship is valued at more than $800.

GUIDELINES

+ The scholarship is open to all current female residents of Waldo or Knox counties who are entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school.
+ The next scholarship application will be open from February 1, 2018 to May 15, 2018
+ Notification of scholarship awards will be sent via email.
+ Questions: director@mainewriters.org
+ Apply for the scholarship HERE.

Ilgenfritz Scholarship to SLICE Literary Writers’ Conference

This scholarship supports one female writer who is 18+ and lives in Waldo or Knox counties to attend the 2018 SLICE Literary Writers’ Conference in Brooklyn, New York each September. The 2018 conference will be held September 8 – 9.

Each year, the SLICE Conference’s panels and workshops cover topics from the craft of writing (plotting, dialogue, characterization, poetry, and more) to the business of writing (pitch letters, landing a book deal, and beyond). Top editors, agents, and authors discuss crucial steps to help launch a writer’s career.__________________________

SCHOLARSHIP

+ Conference fees for both days
+ One-on-one editor and agent meetings: “Ask (Almost) Anything” and “Quick Pitch.” (*Read more about these below)+ A $600 cash honorarium
+ Winners are responsible for their own travel/lodging arrangements

Scholarships are awarded based on a mix of a writing sample, demonstrated dedication to writing, and financial need. There is no application fee. The scholarship is valued at nearly $1,000.

GUIDELINES

+ The scholarship is open to all current female residents of Waldo or Knox counties who are 18 years old or older.
+ The next scholarship application will be open from February 1, 2018 to July 1, 2018
+ Notification of scholarship awards will be sent via email by early July.
+ Questions: director@mainewriters.org
+ Apply for the scholarship HERE.

*ONE-ON-ONE EDITOR/AGENT MEETINGS

Ask (Almost) Anything: This session is for writers who are early or mid-way through their project and struggling with next steps. It’s a chance to have a candid conversation with an agent or editor about the issues that are slowing you down. Ask questions about your writing process, smart steps for revisions, whether they think your project has commercial potential, and anything else related to finishing and publishing your book. Note that this is not the time to ask whether the agent or editor is interested in representing or publishing your work. Rather, think of it as a coffee date with a friend who happens to know a lot about book publishing (there will actually be coffee). Vent your writing frustrations, ask questions, and glean advice as you work toward reaching the next stage of your project. Agents and editors will not read a writing sample but you have the option to submit a one-page letter with your application that explains your project and the issues you would like to discuss.

Quick Pitch: This level is for writers who feel ready to pitch their project to prospective agents. It’s a chance to discuss your book’s overall premise and receive feedback on your query letter and synopsis. Also use this opportunity to ask questions about things you’ve struggled with as you prepare your project for publication. Agents will read your query letter and synopsis in advance and offer feedback during your session. If you have not yet written a query letter, a brief summary of the project will suffice. You may be asked to send your full manuscript after the session if the agent feels it could be a good match for their list. Please do not be discouraged if you are not asked to submit the full manuscript. While the project may not be right for the particular agent with whom you are meeting, they will still be able to offer valuable advice based on their industry experience.

ELIZABETH ILGENFRITZ

Elizabeth Ilgenfritz was born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1951 and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.

She worked for years as an editor, copyeditor, and proofreader in New York City. Her book Anne Hutchinson(from the American Women of Achievement series) was published by Putnam in 1990.

Elizabeth settled in Montville, Maine in 2003 with her husband, David Jacobson, who is a glassblower. She was writing a young adult novel entitled “Bark” at the moment of her untimely death in late 2016.

BY PHONE OR CHECK
If you would prefer to donate by credit card over the phone, please call MWPA at 207-228-8263. Checks may be made out to “MWPA” and mailed to: MWPA Attn: Ilgenfritz Scholarships, 314 Forest Avenue #318, Portland ME 04101